Find Legal expertise in Brunei Darussalam

Legal System

Brunei’s legal system is based on English common law — with an independent judiciary, a body of written common law judgments and statutes, and legislation enacted by the Sultan. Lawyers in the country are called solicitors. The local magistrates’ courts try the majority of cases. More serious cases go before the High Court, which sits for about two weeks out of every three months. The country makes use of judges from the United Kingdom, who are appointed as the judges for Brunei’s High Court and Court of Appeal. Brunei also has a separate system of Islamic courts that apply Sharia law in family and religious matters.

Brunei has no law school to provide legal education. Recognised institutions abroad include those in Malaysia, the UK and Australia. Major law firms, many which often focus on the offshore and corporate side of law include Dr Colin Ong Legal Services, Abrahams Davidson & Co and Daud Ismail & Co.

Profession

Lawyers in the country are called ‘advocate and solicitor’. Brunei has no law school to provide legal education. Recognised institutions abroad include those in Malaysia, the UK and Australia. To practise as an advocate and solicitor in Brunei a lawyer must be a qualified barrister-at-law or solicitor in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland, an advocate and solicitor in Singapore or Malaysia, possess the Certificate of Legal Practice issued by the Qualifying Board of Malaysia, or possess a degree in law conferred by the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa in Malaysia.

Major law firms, many which often focus on the offshore and corporate side of law, include Dr Colin Ong Legal Services, Abrahams Davidson & Co and Daud Ismail & Co. In 2003 the Law Society of Brunei Darussalam was established, consisting of all advocates and solicitors who possess a valid practising certificate.

Development

Information from the World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013